Vodafone/O2 Telephone Mast has been sited right next to Marlborough House School, Hawkhurst, Kent, UK

Unacceptable behaviour

Not appropriate place for a mast

Right next to the school is not an appropriate place for a mast.

I would like to object to this being so close to a school

No to the mast

Children should not be exposed to phone masts. Certainly not at school which should be a safe and risk free environment

We have three granddaughters at the school, and their safety is of paramount importance to us, and also the other children.

I have no issue with masts in principle and understand their necessity but until the long term risks are understood they should not be positioned to overlook a school.

Just another instance of the ineptitude of TWBC councillors. I bet they would object if it was outside their home.

No-one knows the affects of these masts, let alone on children, I'm all for progress but surely there must be somewhere more suitable.

It's just wrong

How refi cultus, putting a phone mast next to a school!

Disgusted behaviour from Voda Phone. Remove this immediately! Health and safety - our children Mean anything...... Voda Phone !

I would like to sign the e petition to get this mast removed by Vodaphone

This seems completely irresponsible to allow a health hazard next to a children's school. I do not want a risk like this where my little sisters study, or where any other children study. Shame on the council for approving this.

Disgusted to see this mast so close to a school. Remove immediately.

Thanks for signing the petition and for your comments. As fuller context to your points: - according to the documents online, one email was sent to the school on 9 December - coincidentally the day it broke up for Christmas. The application was then submitted 12 calendar days (8 working days) later on 21 December (not 6 January, see the ‘Application Notice’), when the School had not had the opportunity to respond. Developers ought to meaningfully consult affected parties, particularly when it is so near a school, before submitting an application (see national guidelines). The developer claims in its documentation to have ‘undertaken extensive Best Practice in its planning process’. When pushed on whether the level of 'consultation' with the School was adequate under the national guidelines, the operator has not responded. - only two local residents were notified throughout the process. - the most recent other application for a mobile mast in Hawkhurst, where there was consultation, showed huge local resistance. This was because that proposal was near another school and because Hawkhurst is within an AONB. The Council’s own Landscape and Biodiversity Officer also objected, but unfortunately was not involved in this development. It was clear, then, from this recent experience, what people's feelings in the village are about siting masts near schools, when they are given the opportunity to voice them. - there is a lot of space around Hawkhurst – choosing a site next to a school is inexcusable. It would appear the other options ‘considered’ were largely rejected to avoid more scrutiny and consultation (full planning is required for a taller mast). - the Stewart Report commissioned by the UK Government recommends a precautionary approach to mobile masts where children are concerned. No credible organisation has ever said there are no risks, and nor has a developer. - the pictures in the application indicate the trees being 19m and the mast 20m

Thanks for signing the petition and for your comments. As fuller context to your points: - according to the documents online, one email was sent to the school on 9 December - coincidentally the day it broke up for Christmas. The application was then submitted 12 calendar days (8 working days) later on 21 December (not 6 January, see the ‘Application Notice’), when the School had not had the opportunity to respond. Developers ought to meaningfully consult affected parties, particularly when it is so near a school, before submitting an application (see national guidelines). The developer claims in its documentation to have ‘undertaken extensive Best Practice in its planning process’. When pushed on whether the level of 'consultation' with the School was adequate under the national guidelines, the operator has not responded. - only two local residents were notified throughout the process. - the most recent other application for a mobile mast in Hawkhurst, where there was consultation, showed huge local resistance. This was because that proposal was near another school and because Hawkhurst is within an AONB. The Council’s own Landscape and Biodiversity Officer also objected, but unfortunately was not involved in this development. It was clear, then, from this recent experience, what people's feelings in the village are about siting masts near schools, when they are given the opportunity to voice them. - there is a lot of space around Hawkhurst – choosing a site next to a school is inexcusable. It would appear the other options ‘considered’ were largely rejected to avoid more scrutiny and consultation (full planning is required for a taller mast). - the Stewart Report commissioned by the UK Government recommends a precautionary approach to mobile masts where children are concerned. No credible organisation has ever said there are no risks, and nor has a developer. - the pictures in the application indicate the trees being 19m and the mast

For clarification there was planning application. As part of the process pre-planning consultation documents were sent to the parish council, local MP, relevant councillors and Marlborough House School on 9/12/16 There was no response from the school and no objections from all other parties consulted. The documents indicate 8 other sites in Hawkhurst were considered and a willingness to listen to objections. Planning was lodged on 06/01/17. This time the school did respond but the only concern they had was in relation to the siting of the mast in relation to their plans to build houses on part of the school playing fields. They were happy to have the mast in the same vicinity but wanted sightlines for a potential junction from the small housing development. One would presume that the school management and Governing Body agree with cancer research UK that there are no health risks to children (or others) and that the non ionising radiation given off by these masts is about 100x lower than international safe guidelines and is no more powerful than the same radiation emitted by wifi routers that are used in the home. The planning application is 17/00025/TN0T56 and all documents can be read via http://twbcpa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/?_ga=2.43834018.687778697.1506769509-744510727.1506350850 The picture used is not the mast and seemingly the drawings on the planning application match the installed mast.

The mast should never have been installed without residents prior knowledge. Cannot believe that it has been placed so near to the school